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Friday, May 23, 2014

You are five months old. Time is flying by, and while it's exciting to watch you learn and grow, you need to cut it out! You are growing up so fast! Just in the last two weeks you have learned to sit up on your own, you are rolling over from your tummy to your back, and you talk and laugh all day long. It is amazing to see you discover new things. You love to hear music and you've started to say "ma" and "ba." You have such a determined little personality, always wanting to be "bigger" and "older" than you actually are. People comment all the time about how cute you are and how they are amazed by you.

If there is one thing I want you to know, it is how much you are loved! Not just by your Dad and me, but by everyone who sees you. Obviously, Dad and I love you more than you will ever know, but even strangers who see us when we are running errands have to stop and say "Hi" to you. And your grandparents and aunties can't get enough of your cuddles and slobbery kisses. All of your aunties swoop you up and fight over who gets to hold you first when the family gets together.

I love you so much, my little Harper Rose. I am so blessed that I was chosen to be your Mommy. You have made Daddy and I the happiest parents ever. When you are a rebellious teenager, please remember how much we love you! And please, don't ever be a rebellious teenager! (Who are we kidding, if you're anything like me I am in for a wild ride.)

Monday, May 12, 2014

I was 38 Weeks. It was my first week off of work for maternity leave. I was too big and tired to continue working, so I pretty much bounced on an exercise ball or napped that Wednesday. That night, when Hubs got home from work he suggested that we go walking at the gym, which I was NOT opposed to since I wanted that growing baby girl out of my tight belly. I had been having Braxton Hicks contractions for several weeks, but I was hoping to go into actual labor soon, so I walked happily. I walked for about 45 minutes before my hips began to hurt and Hubs and I went home to put my feet up and catch up on laundry. While we folded laundry, Hubs played a new album that he found and I danced around like a maniac. It was a fun night.

At 2 a.m. I felt/heard a loud "POP" followed by a contraction. I fully expected to stand up out of bed and feel a gush of water, but no. Just a slow trickle. Was I peeing, was it my water? It was confusing. I was wide awake though, and not going back to sleep anytime soon, so I took the puppy and went to the couch to see if labor progressed. I drank some water and watched some late night TV while my labor (quickly) progressed and within 3 hours I woke hubs up to take me to the hospital. We were on our way to have our baby! I was a mixed bag of emotions, mostly nervous, but really excited.

Once we arrived at the hospital, they confirmed that my water broke and checked me into my delivery room. I received my epidural several hours later (I wasn't kidding anyone thinking I could do it drug-free). I labored all day. The excited grandparents were visiting all day and kept remarking how easily my labor was going! I had a great epidural, I guess. I finally got to a 10 around 4pm but felt no desire to push, so around 6:30 they came in and had me start pushing.

Right from the start (after they turned off my epidural!) I could feel something wasn't quite right. I was pushing, but couldn't feel anything happening (except pain). And my contractions were back-to-back, so I had no resting period between pushes. It was like that for 2.5 hours. I just remembering begging my husband for a C-section and asking him to help me. It was nothing like I expected, and I knew it wasn't right. Eventually the doctor tried the vacuum, but to no avail. My sweet little girl was sunny side up (face up) and stuck in my narrow birth canal. She was also beginning to struggle for oxygen and her heart rate was plummeting with each contraction, which I will remind you were back-to-back with no resting period. They strapped an oxygen mask on my face and told me they needed to take me for a C-section, which I was so ready for. An Anesthesiologist came and did the spinal block (Thank the good Lord) and they wheeled me to the operating room. I was scared. I was shaking. I was exhausted. I just wanted her here safely.

About 15 minutes later, Hubs watched as our six pound, eight ounce Harper Rose was lifted out of my pregnant belly. She was perfect. 10 fingers, 10 toes, perfect head. He said she was beautiful. Hearing her cry for the first time was magic. Hubs ran over to snap a couple pictures for me and cut the umbilical cord. When they finally brought her over to see me, I felt my whole world shift. She became the center around which everything in my life would now orbit. Her tiny half-Asian eyes, her squishy little lips, I could've stared at her forever. When I finally got to hold her for my "Golden Hour" alone, I memorized everything about her face. I rubbed her back and legs, she held my finger, she looked at me, then slept on my chest. She was perfect.

Hubs went to tell everyone that we were ok, healthy and happy (apparently, it was an emergency situation and we caused quite the commotion on the maternity floor). From that moment on, I have been in love with my tiny daughter. She is my everything. Being a mom is the hardest thing I have ever done, or will ever do, but it has been the best 4.5 months of my life. I absolutely, wholeheartedly love being a mom. This version of the story is only a small part of the miracles that happened that day, December 19, 2013. There are so many things, too personal to share with the whole internet, that occurred that day that I know there was a higher power watching over my sweet angel and me. Had a few things gone differently that day, I might be without my little peanut. I am blessed beyond measure.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Welp, it's about time to make a new post... It's been far too long and I miss blogging. So here's what's new.

I made a tiny human. She was born last December, and is the greatest thing, by far, to ever happen to me. She is 4.5 months now and is growing far too fast for my liking, but I love every minute of motherhood. It is everything I thought it would be, and nothing like I thought it would be. It's incredible how in love with her I am. Everything I do is for her now, and I wouldn't have it any other way. She brings so much joy to our life, and I love my little family of three.

I will post her birth story later (it's pretty long). But for now, check out these amazing photos of my two week old nugget. Isn't she beautiful?

Friday, September 13, 2013

We've come to the end of another week, Thank the Lord! After a week of awful sciatic pain and car troubles and busy schedules and dumb co-workers, I'm thrilled that its Friday! I have never been more excited to kick my shoes off my swollen, pregnant feet, put some comfortable clothes on and relax with my love and my fur-baby while my real baby kicks my belly. It sounds like Heaven.

But this is what I wore today. And besides it being hellishly hot outside and me wearing too many layers, this is the most comfortable outfit I've worn in a long time (that isn't pajamas...). Needless to say, I cannot wait for Fall to arrive in Central California so I can layer up!

Monday, September 9, 2013

I don't know about you other moms and soon-to-be-moms out there, but getting dressed every day in this new pregnant body is one of the toughest things lately. It's a constant battle of comfortable and fashionable, and comfortable usually wins, in all honesty. It has been really hard for me to get used to this new and constantly changing body, and my fashion has suffered for it. But no longer! I am making a commitment to making an effort for myself! I am choosing to take the time to paint my nails, and to do my hair instead of throwing it up into an unwashed messy bun day after day. I'm choosing to make time for me. I love this little peanut in my belly, but I love me too, and me loves to get dressed in something other than sweats! So here goes.

Today we are going with a Primary Color theme: Red (nails), yellow (top) and blue (jeans)

Top: TJ Maxx

Pants: Fade to Blue Maternity from Macy's

Flats: Ross

Necklace: Thrifted

Ok fellow moms, how do you take care of yourselves, despite your growing bellies? How do you dress so you feel your best despite feeling like a whale? And where can a Mama shop that will give me some style and shape, without breaking the bank?

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Oh. My. Gosh. All I can say is I've been gone far too long! But so much has changed!

First of all, Husband and I bought our very first home in March. We moved in and the work has not stopped since. We put brand new sod into the back yard, we decorated, painted out master bedroom, and soon we'll be replacing the flooring with beautiful hardwood. We are busy bees!

Then, we were blessed with a beautiful puppy! Because of Husband's allergies, I thought I would never have a dog, but we found a hypoallergenic breed and found one that worked for our home and his allergies! It was amazing to bring home that tiny ball of fluff and be a puppy mommy!

This dirty pup is Lucy, and she is our amazing dog. She is six months old and done growing at just under four pounds. She is a terrible dog (barking, not listening, eating my carpet, etc.) but I love her so much. I can't imagine life without this crazy pup.

Then, I got asked to check review something from the brand new eShakti line. I picked out this gorgeous 3/4 sleeve blazer, and I adore it. It fits me like a glove, and it is so chic. I totally love it for the transition from summer to fall. When the mornings are crisp and cool, but I know it's going to warm up during the day, I absolutely love this little jacket.

Oh, and the biggest news? I am SIX MONTHS PREGNANT! I am over the moon with this little bundle growing inside my big ol' belly! It happened so quickly, but we are incredibly grateful and blessed. I've wanted nothing more than to be a mom my entire life, and here I am getting ready to be one! This news may not be so shocking if you're like me, took one look at these photos and thought "Wow, she's put on a few pounds!" I certainly have, but it's all baby. And a little peach cobbler. Ok, ok.... it's a lot Peach Cobbler.... But these pants are regular people pants and I fit in them (almost) so I don't feel so bad!

We are expecting a little girl December 30th.

Thank you so much for reading my blog, and coming with me on my pregnant journey to motherhood. I promise it won't all be about babies. Just most of it.